In a report by the Real Estate Investment Network (REIN) in early August, Calgary was ranked the number 1 city in Canada for Real estate investments. With the slower and shaky economy, the high price of home ownership, forecasts for a slowdown in housing prices increasing interest rates this has come as a surprise to many people.

So where does this type of report get its basis from? First off, the group is basing its pick of Calgary from now until 2015. So while presently it may seem less glamorous to look at Real Estate as an investment, it’s over time that it shines.

REIN bases their decision on several factors that directly affect the value of property. These key factors are population growth, job growth and increasing average incomes. Whoa, you might say! Isn’t Calgary losing population, hasn’t there been layoffs and how could average income be increasing?

This is where the long term five year view comes into play. As the global energy markets continue to stabilize over the next several years and the US continues to increases its dependency on the “dirty oil” coming directly from the Alberta oil sands, Calgary will see its economic stability ramping up. Of course as the energy industry thrives so does the rest of the provincial economy.

Although we are currently seeing a slowdown in inter provincial migration, as more jobs become available and the economy grows, this will once again turn around. Now we aren’t talking 2005/2006 out of control growth, but definitely stronger than we have seen the last three years.

Now the majority of people first moving here are not likely to be home buyers. They tend to be renters who are initially more intent on getting a good job and less concerned about buying of they are unsure how long they will stay. This is what many people who are disregarding the report are missing.

From a home owner’s standpoint, with an average price of over $450,000 for a property that may not be able to increase much is not be a good investment. On the other hand, a $300,000 suited bungalow in a rental neighbourhood that generates $2,200 a month in gross income versus a $1,070 monthly mortgage payment could be a great investment from a Real Estate investor’s viewpoint.

What are your thoughts? Is Don Campbell going out on a limb or does he have a firm grasp on what’s happening out there?

We're Number 1!

I just received my copy of REIN’s Top Investment Towns in Alberta for 2010 and Calgary has been tagged as the Top Town in the province over the next 3-5 years. How exciting! Except that I am selling some of our properties, but in that case how exciting for the lucky purchasers!

Now to help clarify this a bit more. Investing in Real Estate is only a get rich quick plan on TV shows. In reality it is a slow and steady race (think Tortoise and The Hare) where persistence and a long term plan work in harmony.

What Don Campbell’s report shows is that after Calgary’s predictable correction of the last couple years we are at a point now where we have more affordable housing conditions, a stabilized economy and renewed optimism. This all bodes well for the next three plus years for Calgary to see above average growth in property values, in-migration and general happiness for Real Estate investors.

So if you are currently investing, planning on investing or are considering investing this is some great news. Oh for Edmonton readers you are in position two this year after multiple years of being top dog!

As a REIN member and an investor I am a big fan of Don Campbell and here is a clip for an excellent interview Don just had regarding Real Estate and what is coming up for 2010.

Don Campbell BNN  Interview December 31st, 2009

Don has some great points in here about investors starting to spread investments from just stocks and into more Real Estate investments. He also talks about viewing Real Estate as a longer term investment, not a get rich quick scenario. What are your thoughts on the interview? Did he make sense to you?